A man stood next to me

A man stood next to me last night in the midsts of a dance - we were in truth using the hand basins in the lavatories at a London dance venue. I shall call him Dave.

"How long have you been dancing?"

"6 years I think" I replied

"Me too, great innit"

"Yes, I..."

He interrupts

"Saved my life, was gonna top myself, this stopped me, turned me round"

I turn to face him, he continued

"Was ready to put a gun in mouth, really down"

"Remarkable" I said

"Dancin' saved my life"

He carried on..I listened intently as this complete stranger told me the bare bones of his story. I told him mine, an inadequate quid pro quo but his point resonants not with mine but with a sentiment I hold dear that there's something about music and moving to that music which short circuits the minds of troubled people. It is a direct attack on the brain's neurochemistry in which so many people find relief. It is a drug of mystical powers.

"What's your name?"

"Stephen"

"Dave, I'll chat to you later"

"Very nice to meet you"

A chance encounter and a powerful story - one of many I've heard - one of many I''d like to collect. His is fierce testimony to the power of this balm. It is offered as therapy in some places, it should be in our schools, hospitals and care centres. It is and remains to me, as near to magic as I can go.

Would REALLY appreciate comments on this entry - so that others can see stories of dance.

76 Views 11/05/14

Comments - transfered from older blog

Comments

Ceroc Southport Feb 2015

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How a Competition is born - the local view

Photo: Jonathan Hunter For this Q and A I'm quizzing someone with long experience of dancing in the North West, Blackpool born Hannah Lonsdale is a an experienced social and competitive dancer with her partner in wine Julie Duane. Hannah knows the Northern and Scottish dance scene well so she's ideally placed to reflect on how Northern Champs is going down amongst her fellow dancers. SN: Kicking off with a local question, what will Northern Champs do for dancing in the North West? HL: The North West has so many great dancers, some who already compete, some are looking forward to giving it a try and some who haven’t even thought about it yet. Ceroc Northern Champs brings the opportunity to home turf and gives everyone a chance to show what they can do in front of a friendly local crowd and a great atmosphere. Jamie and the team have worked really hard to make sure that there are accessible categories for everyone, no matter how little or long they have been dancing. L...

Ceroc Northern Champs - A hot day in Manchester

And so it begins... Lucky Dip parade - the queue of doom The judges for Ceroc Northern Champs Glittering array of dance talent Introduced by our host Jamie Storey Long day ahead Amongst the competition there are copious freestyles DJ'ed by Messrs Sambridge and Gammon There's a fantastic atmosphere with vocal support, brisk but entertaining compering from Jamie and a host of diligent Ceroc Addiction staff slaving away to keep this competition moving. No clear winners yet - but a a huge variety of Ceroc styles and people form Wales, Scotland, London and Essex - it's a nice size of competition. Hot hits already: - TVs with the winners numbers - plenty of freestyle time - music by genre - A BURGER/SARNIE/SALAD van in the car park! More later :-)

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